Sparkling century by Dilshan

Chris Dhambarage

Sri Lanka opener Tillekeratne Dilshan hammered a sparkling century as Unichela knocked out the defending champions Sampath Bank by 10 runs on the Duckworth and Lewis scoring method in their rain hit Singer MCA Premier knock out tournament semi-final match worked off at the P. Saravanamuttu Oval yesterday.

Dilshan faced only 99 deliveries, hoisted two sixes and struck ten boundaries to help Unichela reach a formidable 274 from 49.5 overs. He also added 110 runs for the third wicket along with Malintha Warnapura (45).

Sampath Bank who are also the reigning MCA League champions were restricted to 202 for 6 when bad light halted play in the 39th over. Skipper Thilina Kandamby hit a top score of 82 from 76 deliveries inclusive of two sixes and half a dozen boundaries. He also put on 112 runs for the fourth wicket together with Chamara de Zoysa (46).

Unichela: 274 in 49.5 overs (T. Dilshan 100, M. Warnapura 45, N. Nawala 45, S. Karunanayake 29, R. Herath 2 for 34, N. Perera 2 for 64).

Sampath Bank: 202 for 6 in 39 overs (S. Kalawitigoda 27, T. Kandamby 82, C. de Zoysa 46, G. Wijekoon 3 for 29, D. Abeydeera 2 for 34).

Janashakthi in exciting win

Two fighting half centuries from Tillekeratne Samapth (52) and Sachithra Serasinghe (56) helped Janashakthi pull off an exciting six wicket victory over Seylan Bank on the Duckworth and Lewis scoring method in their rain hit Singer MCA knock out tournament semifinal match worked off at the Colts CC ground in Havelock Park yesterday.

Sampath hoisted one six and struck two boundaries while Serasinghe had two sixes and one boundary with the pair putting on 80 valuable runs for the third wicket that helped Janashkthi to be ahead by a solitary run on the run rate when bad light halted play in the 36th over.

Earlier Seylan Bank went on to make 214 for 9 from their 50 overs following some good contributions from opener Kanchana Gunawardena, Chanaka Wijesinghe, Sahan Wijeratne and Damith Indika.

The Singer MCA knock out tournament final between Unichela and Janashakthi will be worked off on February 7 at the P. Saravanamuttu Oval.

Seylan Bank: 214 for 9 in 50 overs (K. Gunawardena 39, C. Wijesinghe 26, N. Kulasekera 32, S. Wijeratne 26, D. Indika 28 n.o, S. Serasinghe 3 for 30, S. Chaturanga 4 for 49).

Janashakthi: 138 for 4 in 36 overs (T. Sampath 52, S. Serasinghe 56).